Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Effocient homes save money and improves home comfort

When your home is not efficient in its use of energy you and your family pays the price in comfort, and your wallet.   Insulation in the right places can reduce reliance on heating and cooling systems
save money on your energy bills. Greatly improve your comfort  home and protect the environment by reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as a result of lower energy consumption.
Some types of insulation can make your home more soundproof.
Save Energy and improve your families budget!
Air that leaks through your home's envelope − the outer walls, windows, doors, and other openings − wastes a lot of energy and increases your utility costs. A well-sealed structure, coupled with the right amount of insulation, can make a real difference on your utility bills.
But, mostly you will see greater Comfort.
Sealing leaks and adding insulation can improve the overall comfort of your home and help to fix many of these common problems:


1. In the attic

Weatherstrip and insulate the attic access door.
Seal around the outside of the chimney with metal flashing and high-temperature sealant such as flue caulk or muffler cement.
Seal around plumbing vents, both in the attic floor and in the roof. Check roof flashings (where the plumbing vent pipes pass through the roof) for signs of water leakage while you’re peering at the underside of the roof.
Seal the top of interior walls in pre-1950s houses anywhere you can peer down into the wall cavity. Use strips of rigid insulation, and seal the edges with silicone caulk.
Stuff fiberglass insulation around electrical wire penetrations at the top of interior walls and where wires enter ceiling fixtures. (But not around recessed light fixtures unless the fixtures are rated IC [for insulation contact]). Fluorescent fixtures usually are safe to insulate around; they don’t produce a lot of waste heat. Incandescent fixtures should be upgraded to compact fluorescent bulbs).
Staple Radiant Barrier under the rafters or joists to reflect 97 percent of the radiant heat that strikes it
Seal all other holes between the heated space and the attic.
2. In the basement or crawlspace

Seal and insulate around any accessible heating or A/C ducts. This applies to both the basement and attic.
Seal any holes that allow air to rise from the basement or crawlspace directly into the living space above. Check around plumbing, chimney, and electrical penetrations.
Caulk around basement window frames.
Seal holes in the foundation wall as well as gaps between the concrete foundation and the wood structure (at the sill plate and rim joist). Use caulk or foam sealant.
3. Around windows and doors

Replace broken glass and reputty loose panes.
Install new sash locks, or adjust existing ones on double-hung and slider windows.
Caulk on the inside around window and door trim, sealing where the frame meets the wall and all other window woodwork joints.
Weatherstrip exterior doors, including those to garages and porches.
For windows that will be opened, use weatherstripping or temporary flexible rope caulk.
4. In living areas

Install foam-rubber gaskets behind electrical outlet and switch trim plates on exterior walls.
Use printable or colored caulk around bath and kitchen cabinets on exterior walls.
Caulk any cracks where the floor meets exterior walls. Such cracks are often hidden behind the edge of the carpet.
Got a fireplace? If you don’t use it, plug the flue with an inflatable plug, or install a rigid insulation plug. If you do use it, make sure the damper closes tightly when a fire isn’t burning.
5. Around the exterior

Caulk around all penetrations where electrical, telephone, cable, gas, dryer vents, and water lines enter the house. You may want to stuff some fiberglass insulation in the larger gaps first.
Caulk around all sides of window and door frames to keep out the rain and reduce air infiltration.
Check your dryer exhaust vent hood. If it’s missing the flapper, or it doesn’t close by itself, replace it with a tight-fitting model.
Remove window air conditioners in winter; or at least cover them tightly, and make rigid insulation covers for the flimsy side panels.
Caulk cracks in overhangs of cantilevered bays and chimney chases.

But there is no substitute for a professional who can truly guide you:
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Insulation Contractors Towson MD
Insulation Contractors Baltimore



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